Need help w/ move! Is O'Fallon a mistake? (Clayton, Parkway: house, good schools)

[TGS]

Originally Posted by mollytn75

The year round concern is that the boys are 3 grade apart. When one is in middle and the other is in high school I would have one on traditional and one in year round. Plus it would make it difficult for their visitation time/trips with their father.

I was concerned about the catholic education being up to par, but the scores for the St. Charles county districts were so low that it sent me into a panic. I looked on the website I found on this forum that lists all the scores. The negative is that you have no idea how the catholic schools compare date wise. The facility at St. Joseph's blew me away and they have a gifted program (not sure how good it is). There clearly is a lot of money going into that school. I about fell over when I saw their Mac lab (room packed full of brand new macs, flat screen monitors), plus their Windows lab next door, every classroom has Smart Boards. And there is the appeal of them moving on to a strong catholic boys school (maybe I will win the lotto ) vs Wentzville high school for example. St. Joseph's does have an issue though with student/teacher ratio.

Argh! I have no idea what to do.

All of the Catholic schools in the Archdiocese take the Iowa Test of Basic Skills every year. They aren't a perfect comparison with the public schools, since they don't rate whether the students are proficient or not in a subject like the public school tests. Those scores can be changed and manipulated easily by the state changing whatever the standards are for "proficient" (the state did just change the standards, FYI). The Iowa tests, on the other hand, give a score that shows how the students compare with other students that take the same test nationally.

The schools don't usually publish the test scores because the tests are given at the beginning of the school year so that they can see where the students are weak or strong, and then they adjust their curriculum accordingly (and for the eighth graders, they are used to apply to high school). New students can skew the average scores, and the schools don't use them as a real marketing tool or to compare amongst themselves. However, they are better than no test scores at all, and you might check and see if any of the Catholic schools you are considering will let you see them. I have seen the scores at my daughter's school, and they are exceptional, especially considering the fact that they accept students with learning disabilities.

[Bobster]

Maryland Heights might be a nice compromise? My son went to Parkway North and we both thought that it was a great school. I liked the fact that they were pretty open and liberal, while still giving a good education.

[mollytn75]

Well I am going out with a realtor this weekend while I am in town to put offers on a few houses that are in Rockwood school district, but still have easy access to 40 so I can easily head out to K in O'Fallon where my family is. I have at least three sellers that said they would be willing to lease/purchase to me for 6 months before closing. I am a little nervous about the age of the affordable homes in the area, but I am hoping if I can get a good deal that will allow me to get some updating done. Going to have to make some trade-offs on the house for the rockwood schools and the services I need as a single parent. (before/after care, bus, etc.)

I am not giving up on St. Jospeh's, I am just going to see if I can do Rockwood within my budget first before I go through the headache of trying to figure out how I am going to get my son to school and me to clayton by 8 am! (since they do not offer before-care)

Thanks for all your help!
Molly

[Bobster]

Molly...best of luck to you!

[aragx6]

Agreed! Let us know how it goes for you!

[mollytn75]

So I think my head is really ready to explode from all this house hunting. I think I looked at 20+ houses last weekend. I am trying SO hard to stay near 40 in West County. It seems like a happy medium as far as distance to my family in O'Fallon. But all the houses were old in my price range and in need of work - or didn't have a finished basement, with tiny first floors. When you look out off of 109 the houses are much newer, but the commute to Clayton terrifies me!

I also have the Rockwood vs Parkway. (and West vs. Central) Is there a big difference? I have exhausted all of my Highcroft and Claymont options...and have two more to look at that go to Henry. Any thoughts? I am close to putting a contract on a Rockwood (109 area) house, but I am trying really hard to find a good alternative closer to 40.

On a positive, I did accept the job in Clayton, so at least I am employed.

[aragx6]

I wouldn't worry about the nuanced differences between Rockwood and Parkway - they're both great districts and you're kids will get a great education at any of them. You'll drive yourself crazy worrying about that!

[jojojohnson76]

man...I know you have family ties...but I would kill for a job in Clayton, so I could move toward that area.

[aragx6]

Yeah, but her options are pretty limited at 275k in Clayton and areas surrounding it.

[mollytn75]

Yes, 6 listings for single family houses under $300k in Clayton schools...and they are not really ideal options with 2 restless boys. If I had the $$$$ I would have loved to consider the area.